@Lindagaf Thank you very much!
The ideas.repec.org is not a ranking of the quality of the econ departments, nor does respec.org profess that it is.
It’s simply listing the colleges in order of the number of publications submitted by professors that are cataloged in the RePEc.
And even then “the data presented here is experimental based on a limited sample of the research output in Economics and Finance. Only material cataloged in RePEc is considered”
https://ideas.repec.org/top/top.uslacecon.html
Click on ‘institutions 10/10’ at the top of the webpage for the full disclosure and the explanation of the ranking.
Frankly, I wish it was a ranking relating to the quality of the colleges’ econ dept because Midd and Vassar are in the top ten. 
If it’s any consolation, I went to Bates and my sister went to Bowdoin and I had a much better experience than she did. She liked Bowdoin, but I LOVED Bates! Based on her experience versus mine, it seemed like Bates was a much warmer open place with all types of students interacting with one another. I think part of it was Bowdoin’s fraternity system, which seemed strange to have in such a small school. It made it kind of cliquey. I’m not sure if they still have fraternities.
Either way, both schools are terrific and provide wonderful educations that will allow you to do whatever you want when you graduate.
@K9 Thanks! I’m a future Batesie!!
That’s great, congratulations!
@Lindagaf Thanks!
Congratulations @gpa348!
Bowdoin has not had fraternities since 1998. Personally, I think it is the best of the three in terms of rigor, environment, and opportunity.
My main concern is that I will have to take out loans to be able to fund my education at Bates. My total household income in 2016 was 22,674 (9,976 from my father driving the school bus, 12,698 from Social Security, and my father isn’t too keen on actually helping me since he doesn’t want me to go out in Maine). I have 10,033 in savings, but I want to use that for personal expenses. How prone to giving loans is Bates? I really hope they don’t give me a loan.
@Gpa348 ah sorry I thought this was a comparison thread. Bates is a tough admit. Congrats and I hope you enjoy Maine!
Congratulations @gpa348!
(I’ve PM’ed you)
I’m really useless with financial stuff. Surely they met your financial need? Call the FA office and ask for more money. The money they give you isn’t a loan. Do you qualify for subsidized government loans based on your Fafsa? Please make a post in the FA forum people there will give you better advice.
I assume @Gpa348 hasn’t received the package yet with all the FA info. It used to come with your acceptance before they notified by email.
I would also assume, given the family’s income, the FA will be excellent. As an example, with our income between $125-$130k/yr when S attended, Bates gave him $40k/yr in institutional aid (grant.) He was also offered the student loan of between $3k-$5k/yr that everyone can take if they need to.
@emilybee I just got my financial aid award. They’re offering me 2,000 a year for loans, and they expect me to contribute 4,093 a year(2,293 a year for my das, 1,800 a year for me). However, I don’t believe they used my Pelli grant (5,920), which can be used to take care of the 2,000 a year loan and 3,920 of the estimated 4,093 a year for personal constribution. When I did the math, it came about to 173 a year. Should I tell them about this?
Can you post your total package? It doesn’t make sense that your Pell grant isn’t included anywhere.
Also, we found that the personal expenses (travel, books, etc.) they include in your total COA was always high.
Here is my total package:
Cost of attendance:
Tuition, Room, Board and Fees- 69,900
Estimated books and supplies- 900
Estimated Travel and Personal-1,550
Total- 71,450
Calculated family contribution:
Parent contribution- 2,293
Student contribution- 1,800
Total- 4,093
Financial need
(cost minus Family Contribution)- 67,357
Financial Aid Award:
Bates Grant- 63,657
Direct Student loan- 2,000
Student employment- 1,700
Total- 67,357
According to my Fafsa, I’m eligible for a 5,920 pell grant. I do not see it listed on my package. Do you see it listed on my package? If not, how should I tell them? How will my pell grant be applied to my package?
Thanks in advance!!
@Gpa348, I wouid definitely call the Financial Aid office. Just tell them you qualify for Pell ask them it’s included in your package already (doesn’t appear to be unless it’s lumped into the $63k grant which would be unusual, imo.) Also, post this on the FA forum - they might be better able to advise you.
@emilybee it doesn’t matter anymore. I probably won’t be able to attend Bates because the loan would make our efc over 6k and my dad could do that, but he doesn’t want me attending school in Maine.
What are your other options? Are there any that would cost you less to attend? You were given excellent FA, IMO.